3x Thursday

Politics and Relationships

1. What do you think about this whole Thailand coup thing? Do you think over-throwing a government is just? If there was enough reason to do so, would you help accomplish such a task? Why/why not?

OK, confession time: I only know what Beastie told me last night. I really don't keep up on stuff... The fact that a democracy (so-called anyway) was overthrown disturbs me, but I don't know enough about the actual situation to have an informed opinion. Judging by information from people we know about in Thailand, it doesn't seem like the people are all that worked up about it.

About being involved in the overthrow of my country. Isn't that what elections are for? I doubt I'd do anything that involved a violent coup. If it could be done bloodlessly--which apparently is more or less true of Thailand (remember, I have no knowledge really)--and if I felt the current leaders were schmucks, I might. Having said that, the whole concept of overthrowing a government always brings me back to 1917 in Russia. The former situation under the tsars was horrific; the Bolsheviks were a nightmare.

2. Iran. What do you think of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his politics? Aside from his eccentricities, do you really think he's an enemy or is doing bad things? Why/why not?

The phrasing of this question is interesting: my choices are "enemy" or "doing bad things." Hmmm.

I suspect he thinks he's doing right by his country. They're sort of in a situation geographically that demands a show of strength, and the might to back up the show. I don't like what he's doing, but that doesn't necessarily make what he's doing objectively 'bad' nor does it make him my enemy.

3. What do you think about open relationships? Do you think couples who do this are playing with fire, or do you think it can work? Would you ever do it? Why/why not?

I think keeping a relationship evenly sorted out is difficult. It's very difficult to keep two people in the same emotional place, and adding anyone else to the equation just seems like a LOT of hard work (lots of complicated talking) for a very limited payback (some very weird and maybe even good sex). Someone, sometime, is going to start looking at the relationship in a totally different way from the others.....and then the hassle begins.

I think it could work for a short period. The length of time depends on the emotional maturity of the people. In the end, however (and I'm convinced that this could not be a long-term relationship), there will be severe repercussions for everyone involved, most likely the kind that implode everyone's relationship to one another and which will cause pain for each person too.

So, no, I don't see open marriages (or whatever) working out well long-term for the relationship OR for the individuals involved.

Bonus Question: Even if you don't do politics, what do you think of the upcoming mid-term elections? Do you think it'll be same ole, same ole, or do you think something siginificant could happen this time around? Why/why not?

I live in hope that lots of people have awakened to the fact that the government in place for the last 6 years has fucked up our country almost beyond repair. From declaring war on shady grounds to putting the budget into the biggest debt ever to the Patriot Act--this administration has gone against every single thing they claimed to stand for in 2000. They lie, they cheat, they steal, they behave like bullies on a playground, and they've made me more embarrassed (and frightened) to be an American than I've ever been. Even Ronald Reagon didn't scare me this much...and he scared me plenty!

So I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll see the balance of power shift in the House (at least). And yo, Demos: GET THE FUCK TO WORK ON 2008! And please, thinkg of someone besides Hillary to hitch your star to. Cuz, much as I personally love her, she's a TERRIBLE presidential candidate!